The U.S. Bureau of Land Management made it official this week: the Las Vegas field office announced a target shooting closure on 11,874 acres of public land on the southern end of Pahrump.

The BLM reported receiving about 100 comments over a 60 day comment period when the proposal was announced earlier this year. The closure won't apply to hunting under the laws of the state of Nevada.

"The top priority of the BLM Las Vegas field office is public health and safety," said Juan Palma, field manager. "This target shooting closure will provide additional safety for local residents while maintaining recreational opportunities for public land users."

The closure is intended to ensure the safety of people and property adjacent to selected public lands and prevent environmental degradation, the BLM states. The bureau noted two housing developments were recently approved within the closure boundary.

The BLM in a written statement notes the closure was proposed as a joint effort to protect public safety by the Nye County sheriff's office, the Nye County Commission, Town of Pahrump and the BLM in response to concerns by local residents.

Popular target shooting areas will remain open, the BLM said. They include public land on the east side of Highway 160, public land near Bell Vista Road and public land southeast of Hafen Ranch Road. In addition the BLM reported it is working with Nye County to identify a location for a shooting park.

Maps of the closure are available on the Internet by logging on to www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html. Maps will also be available at the Nye County Commission office.

The BLM advises people public land is open to multiple use and other people or livestock may be present. The BLM advises shooters on public land not inside the closure area they must be at least 1,000 feet from roads and houses; shouldn't shoot over any road or highway; should always use a safe back drop; glass targets are prohibited and material should be carried out of shooting sites like litter, brass and shell casings.